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RICKY HATTON is up against it when he faces Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas, there’s no two ways about it.

Pretty Boy Floyd may be universally disliked for the trash talk he happily spouts every time he gets a notebook or microphone thrust under his nose. But there is no denying he is a class act in the ring and is a better boxer than the Manchester marvel.

Hatton is definitely the underdog and enjoys roughly the same odds his beloved Manchester City are given when they face fierce rivals United in a local derby.

But here’s the rub – City beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s men 1-0 at the start of the season and Hatton can also cause an upset by piling pressure on Mayweather from the start to become the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

Oscar De La Hoya employed similar tactics against Floyd when they met in May only to run out of steam in the closing stages. And Mayweather may also have underestimated Hatton’s punching prowess.

So back Hatton to win on points at 9/2 with SportingBet or take the widely available 6/4 for him to claim the WBC welterweight title – but you could be out for the count if you weigh in too deeply. AMIR KHAN’S defence of his Commonwealth lightweight crown against Graham Earl provides a fantastic prelude to the magic at the MGM Grand. Luton’s Earl is ranked No.2 in Europe and hopes to spoil the Bolton boxer’s 21st birthday celebrations.

Khan is a prohibitive 1/7 to win but is worth a nibble at 16/1 with Bet365 to beat Earl in the eighth round.

BET OF THE WEEK

Ricky Hatton to claim a points victory over Floyd Mayweather at 9/2 with Sportingbet.